"And yet it seems to me that we have spent many happy days at Stammars," returned Sir Thomas.
"Happy after a fashion, of course; but so different from life here!" continued her ladyship.
"Different indeed!" echoed Sir Thomas, with a sigh.
"To-morrow is my birthday, Thomas; and as you always make me a present on that occasion, I want you, this year, to let me choose for myself what it shall be."
"Certainly, Matilda. I shall be most happy for you to do so."
"That noble heart of yours! What I want is that you shall take me to Long Acre, and buy me a new carriage."
"Good gracious, Matilda!"
"As the wife of the member for Pembridge, I could not think of being seen about London in a hired brougham; neither, I am sure, would you wish me to do anything so paltry."
"But the landau at Stammars--if painted and furbished up----"
"A market-cart, my dear--neither more nor less than a market-cart," cried Lady Dudgeon. "I should be the laughing-stock of the Park. No; if you cannot afford me a new brougham out of your legacy, why, I'll go about in a hansom. I'd far rather do that than be seen in one of those horrid livery-stable abominations, which always put me in mind of fevers and other dreadful things."